Collapsible poultry crate



Patented Nov. 14, 1 950 COLLAPSIBLE POULTRY CRATE Louis L. Albert, Irvington, N. J.

Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,746

This invention relates to a collapsible poultry crate.

The main object of this invention is to provide a simple but highly efficient collapsible poultry crate which may be quickly assembled and collapsed, and the walls of which may be securely locked and rigidly held together when the crate is assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device having hinged sides'and end walls capable of being collapsed in compact form and provided with means for readily swinging the sides and ends into proper position for rigidly locking the same as a unit.

The crate is so constructed that it will not slide when stacked upon another whether in collapsed or assembled condition.

The crate is all metal and wire fabric, so that it will be durable, will not be damaged by rough handling and will outlast the wooden type of crate in use at the present time, is light, sanitary, humane and can be economically manufactured.

This crate is provided with feed troughs which are fastened in position at all times.

This crate has a wire mesh partition above the floor on which the poultry stands, it acts as a cushion and ventilator for the poultr since it permits fresh air to circulate beneath the poultry. This is an important need for live poultry at all times.

The crate can be washed and disinfected to prevent disease and abolish dirt and filth.

This crate is provided with means to drain any water therefrom thereby maintaining the contents of the crate fairly dry at all times.

This crate in its collapsed form requires only a small storage space thereby permitting room on a truck to carry other articles when the crates are being shipped or returned.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists of the novel details and features of construction hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention with parts broken away'and parts in section.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof.

Figure 3 is an end view of the device in collapsed condition.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line -55 of Figure 1.

1 Claim. (Cl. 11919) Figure 6 is a sectional view along the center line of the device in collapsed condition, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the device with the top removed, in collapsible condition showing the troughs arranged for storage therein.

Referring to the drawings more in detail the crate comprises a body l0, including a bottom metallic frame I2, an upper metallic frame I4 and sides [6, these being made of sheet metal cut and stamped in the shape shown.

The bottom frame I2 is provided with a ledge l8 on the inner side thereof and at right angles thereto to receive the removable floor 20 directly above the ledge 18. The frame is provided with ventilating apertures 22 and secured to the sides immediately above the apertures 22 is the wire mesh floor 24, on which the poultry stand when the crate is in assembled condition.

The sides It, comprise the corner post 26 which are hinged to the bottom frame immediately above the mesh floor 24 by hinges 2 B. Longitudinal members 30 are connected to the posts at the lower and upper ends thereof, leaving an open space which is closed by means of the wire mesh 32 as shown. The posts are retained in upright position by the bolts and, wing nuts 34 connecting the abutting ends of the sides as shown in Figure 4.

The upper frame I4 is removable having the flange 36 which fits over the sides when the sides are in raised position and the frame is provided with transverse parallel relatively spaced members 38 to support the removable frame 40. Both frames are provided with wire mesh 42. The Wire mesh in the removable frame 40 has a semi-circular opening 44 provided therein, for the removal thereof and the opening is bound with the binding 46.

One of the sides is also provided with a frame dB to mount a door 5!] therein by means of hinges 52, and the upper section is provided with a hook 54, which engages a keeper 56 on the bottom frame to lock the two in fixed relation to each other when the crate is in collapsed condition. Conventional handles, not shown, are also provided to transport the crate when desired.

Mounted on the corner posts inwardly thereof are the removable brackets 66 which are shaped to support at each end the semicircular troughs 62 and openings 64 in the corner posts, and permit the removal of the troughs for refilling or cleaning when the crate is in use by means of the handles 66, thereon.

When the crate is to be collapsed the upper frame is removed, the troughs are removed and the brackets therefor having their ends removably mounted in loops 68, in spaced relation to each other are detached from the loops 68 on the corner posts. The bolts 34 are removed and the sides are swung inwardly as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The troughs are positioned as shown in Figure 7 and the upper frame is replaced and locked in position as shown in Figure 3.

Thus a device has been provided that is completely collapsible and it is believed that the construction whereby this is accomplished will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is also to be understood that changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A collapsible poultry crate for use in shipping poultry in alive condition, which comprises a bottom frame, having an inwardly extending ledge on an inner surface thereof adjacent the bottom edge of said frame, a removable fioor positioned on said ledge, a wire mesh floor secured to the inner surface of the frame above and parallel to the said first floor, the frame intermediate of said floors being provided with ventilating apertures, an upper frame, corner posts hinged at one end to the inner surface of said bottom frame in vertical relation to said bottom frame and supporting the upper frame on the upper end thereof, side portions hinged to said bottom frame in vertical position and engaging said corner posts to completely enclose said crate, and the upper frame being provided with a depending peripheral flange engaging the outer surfaces of said sides and corner posts, parallel relatively spaced members mounted in said upper frame, a removable frame supported by said members and said upper frame and said removable frame provided with sections of wire mesh, said removable frame provided with a hand hold for the removal thereof and a door in one of said sides for access to said crate and feeding troughs carried by said sides.

LOUIS L. ALBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

